ObjectiveThe current study examined patterns in COVID-19 testing and vaccination intentions across multiple language groups in Greater Western Sydney, Australia. MethodsParticipants completed a cross-sectional survey available from March 21 to July 9, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. Surveys were available in English or translated (11 languages). Participants could complete surveys independently or with support from bilingual staff. Logistic regression models using post-stratification weighted frequencies identified factors associated with testing and vaccination intentions. ResultsMost of the 708 participants (88%, n=622) were not born in Australia; 31% reported that they did not speak English well or at all (n=220); 70% had no tertiary qualifications (n=497); and 41% had inadequate health literacy (n=290). Most participants reported high testing intention (77.2%, n=546), with differences observed across language groups (p<0.001). The most frequently reported barrier to testing was concerns about infection at the clinic (26.1%). Half (53.0%) reported willingness to get a COVID-19 vaccine if recommended to them (n=375); 18% were unwilling (n=127), and the remainder unsure (29%, n=205). These proportions varied significantly by language group (p<0.001). Participants were more likely to be unwilling/hesitant if they were female (p=0.02) or did not use Australian commercial information sources (p=0.01). Concerns about side effects (30.4%, n=102) and safety (23.9%, n=80), were key reported barriers to vaccination. ConclusionDifferent language groups have unique and specific needs to support uptake of COVID-19 testing and vaccination. Health services must work collaboratively with culturally and linguistically diverse communities to provide tailored support to encourage COVID-19 testing and vaccination. Lay summaryO_LI708 adults living in Sydney, Australia, who did not speak English as their main language at home took part in a survey about COVID-19 vaccination and testing. C_LIO_LIParticipants could complete the survey online (English/translated) or with support from bilingual staff. The survey was available in 11 languages. C_LIO_LIThree quarters of participants (77%) reported they would get tested for COVID-19 if they had symptoms no matter what. The most common barrier was concern about getting infected at the testing clinic. C_LIO_LI53% of participants reported that they would get a COVID-19 vaccine if it was recommended to them. 18% reported that they wouldnt get the vaccine, and 29% were unsure. The main barriers were concerns about vaccine side effects and safety. C_LIO_LIIntentions to get tested for COVID-19 or to get vaccinated varied significantly across language groups. Participants who were female, or who did not use Australian commercial information sources were more likely to be unwilling or unsure about getting a COVID-19 vaccine. C_LIO_LIDifferent language groups have unique and specific needs to support uptake of COVID-19 testing and vaccination. Health services must work collaboratively with culturally and linguistically diverse communities to provide tailored support to encourage COVID-19 testing and vaccination. C_LI
BackgroundLittle is known about COVID-19 information-seeking experiences for culturally and linguistically diverse groups in Australia. MethodsParticipants were recruited using a cross-sectional survey from March 21 to July 9, 2021, translated into 11 languages, and with supporting bilingual staff. Linear regression models identified factors associated with difficulty finding easy-to-understand COVID-19 information. ResultsAcross 708 participants (88% born overseas, 31% poor English proficiency), difficulty finding easy-to-understand COVID-19 information was rated 4.13 for English materials (95%CI: 3.85 to 4.41) and 4.36 for translated materials (95%CI: 4.07 to 4.66) (1 easy to 10 hard). Participants who were older (p<0.001), had inadequate health literacy (Mean Difference (MD)=-1.43, 95%CI -2.03 to - 0.82, p<0.001), or poor English proficiency (MD=-1.9, 95%CI-2.51 to -1.29, p<0.001) found it harder to find easy-to-understand English-language COVID-19 information. Those who had greater difficulty finding easy-to-understand translated COVID-19 information were younger (p=0.004), had poor English proficiency (MD=-1.61, 95%CI -2.29 to -0.9, p<0.001), university education (MD=0.77, 95%CI 0.00 to 1.53, p=0.05), and had spent longer living in Australia (p=0.001). They were more likely to rely on friends and family for COVID-19 information (p=0.02). There was significant variation in information-seeking experiences across language groups (ps<0.001). ConclusionsEasy-to-understand and accessible COVID-19 information is needed to meet the needs of people in culturally and linguistically diverse communities. This approach should involve working alongside these communities to tailor messages and leverage existing communication channels.
Issues addressedTo investigate whether culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Western Sydney have experienced any positive effects during the COVID-19 pandemic, and if so, what these were. MethodsA cross-sectional survey with ten language groups was conducted from 21st March to 9th July 2021 in Sydney, Australia. Participants were recruited through bilingual multicultural health staff and health care interpreter service staff and answered a question, In your life, have you experienced any positive effects from the COVID-19 pandemic? Differences were explored by demographic variables. Free-text responses were thematically coded using the Content Analysis method. Results707 people completed the survey, aged 18 to >70, 49% males and 51% females. Only 161 (23%) of those surveyed reported any positive impacts. There were significant differences in the proportion of those who reported positives based on age (p=0.004), gender (p=0.013), language (p=0.003), health literacy (p=0.014), English language proficiency (p=0.003), education (p=<0.001) and whether participants had children less than 18 years at home (p=0.001). Reporting of positive impacts ranged from 12% for people aged seventy years or older to 30% for the 30-49-year age group. Reporting of positive impacts for different language groups ranged from 9% to 42%. 18% of men reported positive impacts compared to 27% of women, and 18% of people with inadequate health literacy reported positive impacts compared to 26% with adequate health literacy. Content Analysis of open-ended responses showed that, of those that did report positives, the top themes were Family time (44%), Improved self-care (31%) and, Greater connection with others (17%). ConclusionsFrom 21st March to July 9th, 2021, few surveyed participants reported finding any positives because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This finding is in stark contrast to related research in Australia in a population dominated by adults with English as their first language, carried out in June 2020, in which many more people experienced positives. So whatThe needs of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds must inform future responses to community crises to facilitate an equitable effect of any collateral positives that may arise.
ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the psychological, social, and financial impacts of COVID-19 on culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Australia. DesignCross-sectional survey informed by the Framework for Culturally Competent Health Research conducted between March and July, 2021. SettingParticipants were recruited from Greater Western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Participants708 community members who speak a language other than English at home participated (mean age: 45.4years [range 18-91]; 88% [n=622] born outside of Australia). Outcome measuresFifteen items regarding impacts of COVID-19, adapted from validated scales, previous surveys or co-designed in partnership with Multicultural Health and interpreter service staff. Logistic regression models (using post-stratification weighted frequencies) identified factors associated with psychological, social, and financial impacts. Surveys were available in English or translated (11 languages). ResultsEven prior to the COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney, 25% of the sample reported feeling nervous or stressed most/all of the time and 22% felt lonely or alone most/all of the time. One quarter of participants reported negative impacts on their spousal relationships as a result of COVID-19 and most parents reported that their children were less active (64%), had more screen time (63%), and were finding school harder (45%). Mean financial burden was 2.9/5 (95%CI=2.8 to 2.9). Regression analyses consistently showed distinct impact patterns for different language groups and more negative outcomes for those with comorbidities. ConclusionCulturally and linguistically diverse communities experience significant psychological, social and financial impacts of COVID-19, with distinct impact patterns across language groups. A whole-of-government approach with policy and sustainable infrastructure is needed to co-design innovative, tailored and culturally-safe COVID-19 support packages. ARTICLE SUMMARY O_TEXTBOXStrengths and limitations of this study O_LIThis is the largest Australian survey exploring the impacts of COVID-19 among people who primarily speak a language other than English, enabled through recruitment methods that are inclusive and reduce barriers to participation (e.g. translated surveys, engagement of interpreters and multicultural health staff who are trusted in their communities, and use of multiple recruitment methods including through community events and networks). C_LIO_LIThis study was co-designed by researchers and multicultural health service staff, in alignment with the Framework of Culturally Competent Health Research. C_LIO_LITo reduce survey length and burden on participants we purposefully selected a small number of items from validated measures or our previous research to explore psychological, social and financial impacts, or co-designed them specifically for this study. C_LIO_LIWe used convenience sampling methods and self-report may have introduced recall and social desirability bias. C_LIO_LIWe are unable to explore changes in impacts of COVID-19 over time. C_LI C_TEXTBOX
BackgroundTo manage the COVID-19 pandemic effectively, governments need clear and effective communication. This is a challenge for culturally diverse communities as groups may have different informational needs and information-seeking behaviours. In this paper we present the frequency of information sources for COVID-19 in a culturally diverse area of Sydney, Australia. MethodsThis study reports findings from two surveys. The first recruited participants across 10 languages between March 21 and July 9, 2021. The second provides a point of reference, and was an Australian, nationally-representative sample of English-speaking participants between November 4 - 18, 2020. ResultsFor the survey in culturally and linguistically diverse communities, of 708 participants, mean age was 45.4 years (SE 0.78), and 51% of respondents were female. Across all language groups, 54.7% of participants used Australian official or public broadcasters to find out about COVID-19 (n=421). Australian commercial information sources (54.1%, n=417), social media (51.6%, n=397), and family and friends in Australia (32.7%, n=252) were common sources. Patterns varied substantially across language groups. In the nationally representative survey (n=2313), 67% of participants (n=1540) used Australian official or public broadcasters, with lower proportions for social media (31.9%, n=738) and friends, family or other personal sources (23.1%; n=533). ConclusionAlmost 50% of participants from culturally and linguistically diverse communities did not report using Australian official or public broadcaster as main sources of information. Instead Australian commercial information sources, friends and family, overseas sources and social media were common. Though a crude comparison of the two datasets, this data can guide policy decisions for communication to different community groups. Further analysis is needed to interpret this data. Better understanding of how diverse communities seek and receive COVID-19 health information is imperative as we manage the current COVID-19 outbreak in the Sydney region.
BackgroundVaccination rollout against COVID-19 has begun across multiple countries worldwide. Although the vaccine is free, rollout might still be compromised by hesitancy or concerns about COVID-19 vaccines. MethodsWe conducted two online surveys of Australian adults in April (during national lockdown; convenience cross-sectional sample) and November (virtually no cases of COVID-19; nationally representative sample) 2020, prior to vaccine rollout. We asked about intentions to have a potential COVID-19 vaccine (If a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available, I will get it) and free-text responses (November only). ResultsAfter adjustment for differences in sample demographics, the estimated proportion agreeing to a COVID-19 vaccine if it became available in April (n=1146) was 76.2%. In November (n=2034) this was estimated at 71.4% of the sample; additional analyses identified that the variation was driven by differences in perceived public health threat between April and November. Across both surveys, female gender, being younger, having inadequate health literacy and lower education were associated with reluctance to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Lower perceived susceptibility to COVID-19, belief that data on the efficacy of vaccines is largely made up, having lower confidence in government, and lower perception of COVID-19 as a public health threat, were also associated with reluctance to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The top three reasons for agreeing to vaccinate (November only) were to protect myself and others, moral responsibility, and having no reason not to get it. For those who were indifferent or disagreeing to vaccinate, safety concerns were the top reason, followed by indecision and lack of trust in the vaccine respectively. CONCLUSIONSThese findings highlight some factors related to willingness to accept a COVID-19 vaccine prior to one being available in Australia. Now that the vaccine is being offered, this study identifies key issues that can inform public health messaging to address vaccine hesitancy. HIGHLIGHTSO_LIPerceived public health threat is associated with intentions to vaccinate C_LIO_LIThose believing the efficacy of vaccines is made up were less willing to get vaccinated C_LIO_LITo protect myself and others was the top reason for getting the vaccine C_LIO_LISafety concerns was the top reason against getting the vaccine C_LI
